Many Ponies is the title song on my new CD.
The inspiration for the song, and so, in a way for the whole album, was a painting by a wonderful artist, Cecilia Henle. It was, of course, entitled, Many Ponies.
The style is primitive, in the best sense of that word, and looks quite American Indian to me, and other-worldly, as well.
It reminded me a lot of the Horse Nation Dance described in Black Elk Speaks.
When the horse (t'shunka wakan) came to the Plains Indians, especially the Lakotas, it created a revolutionary change in their culture and ushered in a whole new way of doing things. Since that time, the horse has been symbolic of something new, something radically different, or revolutionary change.
Horses brought a revolutionary change to my way of thinking, acting and being, too.
But for the New to be born, the Old has to die.
To become the person you will be, you have to let go of the person you've been.
It's that simple.
But it ain't easy.
I know.
See. Horses saved my life.
I’d be a much different man if not for them, and I’m not sure you’d like him.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t.
Horses taught me things that changed me.
Taught me by the nature of their being.
Made me a better man and a better person.
If you know and love horses, too, if you’ve been touched by them, been inspired by their courage and nobility, if you’ve delighted in their company, felt a deep peace and “at-home-ness” in their presence, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
If not, for now, just take my word for it.
Because the thing is, a whole lot of what you learn from horses is applicable to any relationship with anyone, anytime, anyplace.
Like the importance of honesty.
And trust.
And respect.
And loyalty.
And about being strong enough to be gentle --- and gentle enough to be strong.
You might not find these qualities in many two-leggeds. But they are common characteristics in horses.
I’ve tried to include a variety of styles in this collection so that there might be something in it that would connect with any horseperson no matter what kind of music they generally like. There’s something country, something folk, something pop, something Celtic, something Spanish….I hope you’ll find something there that speaks to you and I’d love for you to let me know which ones you like best.
Every penny we make from this CD will go to help horses. There are a couple of established horse rescues we’ll give some support to, and one that’s in development, Common Song Horse Sanctuary. Too many horses are neglected or abused and thousands go to slaughter every year, an ignoble end for such a noble creature. I have to do something about that if I can.
Too many kids are neglected or abused, too. And I also have to do something about that.
My grand plan is to put wounded horses and wounded kids together so they can heal each other.
Maybe I’ll pull it off, maybe I won’t.
But I don’t quit.
That’s something else I learned from horses.
So, like I said, horses saved my life.
I have to do my best to return the favor.
It’s debt of honor.
SJ
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